Ray Williams: Mount Vernon remembers former NBA player

Many gather to remember Ray Williams during his funeral at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

David Williams, center, brother of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, is consoled at his funeral service at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Pallbearers carry the casket of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Knicks coach Mike Woodson, center, is hugged by Albert King as other NBA players mourn and celebrate the life of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

Mourners console each other at the funeral service for former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. Williams' brother, Gus Williams, far right, consoles friend Terrie Williams. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Funeral Director Benji Bolden carries flowers after the service for former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Knicks coach Mike Woodson, left, shakes hands with former NBA player Earl Monroe before the funeral service for former Knicks teammate Thomas Ray Williams at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

Martha Williams, 21, daughter of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, speaks at his funeral service at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. Martha's mother, Fangela McClain, consoles her at right. (March 27, 2013)

Dorothy Brown, with Allen Memorial Church, performs a musical selection during the funeral service for former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Gus Williams, center, former Seattle SuperSonics star and brother of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, mourns at his funeral service at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. Williams' widow, Linda Williams, sits on the right of him, surrounded by family members. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Mourners pay respects and celebrate the life of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Former Knicks player John Starks reads the service program at former Knicks teammate Thomas Ray Williams' funeral service at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Former NBA player Earl Monroe walks back to his seat after speaking at the funeral for former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

Former NBA player Earl Monroe speaks at the funeral for former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Albert King, former teammate of NBA player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, is comforted by Terry Williams at a funeral service at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Tony Taylor, nephew of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, speaks during a funeral service for the Mount Vernon native at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Family friend Janace Hardy speaks fondly of growing up with former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Mount Vernon Mayor Ernie Davis attends with other mourners to pay respect and celebrate the life of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Darrell Walker, center, mourns during a funeral service for former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Immediate family members mourn at the funeral service for former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Earl Tatum, center, talks with fellow former NBA player Earl Monroe as they pay respects and celebrate the life of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Herb Williams, top, assistant coach for the Knicks, pay respects to former Knicks player Earl Monroe, far right, at the funeral for former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Tony Taylor, nephew of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, wipes away a tear as he sits among family members during a funeral service for the Mount Vernon native at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Herb Williams, top, assistant coach for the Knicks, greets fellow basketball players as they pay respects and celebrate the life of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Mourners pay respects and celebrate the life of former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Mount Vernon Mayor Ernie Davis talks at the funeral for former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Lyndon Williams, Westchester County Legislator for the 13th Legislative District in Mount Vernon, speaks during the funeral for former Knicks player Thomas Ray Williams, a Mount Vernon native, at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Mourners gather to pay their respects to former NBA player Ray Williams during his funeral at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Mourners gather to pay their respects to former NBA player Ray Williams during his funeral at Allen Memorial Church in Mount Vernon. (March 27, 2013)